Reflective Moments Moments Reflective November 2006
Two previous issues of Reflective Moments looked at the childhood, teenage and adult years of Saint Angela Merici’s life. In this issue, we will reflect on her autumn years. We will also offer ways for you to incorporate the spirit of Saint Angela into your own lives. Be sure to read the important invitation on the back page!
Autumn: Season of Beauty, Season of Surrender By Sister Marietta Wethington, OSU
In the area where I live – an area of many deciduous trees – autumn is often the prettiest season. Trees are frequently ablaze with color – rich reds, yellows, oranges. What an opportunity for reflection on the beauty in our lives – the beauty we see in God, in family, in community, in nature, in each other, and in Angela Merici. Autumn is also a season of paradox. Leaves are often prettiest right before they die. The leaves are letting go of their summer green and preparing to surrender. Some leaves hang on tenaciously and others let go easily. As Angela moved into the autumn of her life, she was taken deep into her heart where she must have reflected on her deepest longings – on what she needed to surrender and what she needed to nurture. Through her prayer and deep communion with God, Angela was led to surrender her limitations. She was able, with God’s grace, to let go of fears she may have had of going against the tide. Angela knew it would be unpopular for her to act according to the way she truly believed God was leading her – to found a company of virgins rather than join a monastery, as women were expected to do in her day. It was in the autumn of her life – right before the declining days of her winter – that Angela moved into a small room in the church of Saint Afra and began dictating her rule to Gabriele Cozzano. It was a rule written by a woman for women, warm and relational in its tones. Angela’s rule was not filled with laws and rules of a legislative nature but with guidelines and practical advice about living with integrity. “Obey the commands of the Holy Spirit constantly to be heard in your hearts.” What greater advice could she give to those of us who follow in her footsteps as we journey to the heart of God? What beauty we see in the heart of Angela! n
Attention, Ursuline
For Your Reflection... v Sit with Angela at the feet of Jesus and reflect on how you listen to the Spirit in the context of your daily life. v Spend some time at the end of each day asking yourself how you responded to the Holy Spirit. Sit with Angela at the feet of Jesus and reflect on her courage. When have you had to act with courage in order to carry out what you believed to be God’s will for you? What was that like for you? Who helped you with your decision? What gave you the necessary strength to do what you believed had to be done? What did you have to let go in order for something new to happen? See back page
For Your Reflection continued
If you live in an area of deciduous trees, go for a walk and reflect on the lesson the leaves have to teach you. Draw an autumn leaf and list on it the things you want to surrender to God. Ask Angela to help you!
Attention, Associates . . . Here’s Something New!!!
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his is your invitation to participate in Ursuline Society Locations “something new.” In 2002 the Ursuline Society Leadership made the momentous Ohio decision to move beyond collaboration towards integration. Since that time, community members have established and strengthened relationships Kansas Kentucky with sisters in the other communities and have discussed ways to move toward integration. What is the Ursuline Society? The Ursuline Society consists of the eight autonomous Ursuline communities in Cleveland, Youngstown, Toledo, Cincinnati and Brown County, Ohio; Paola, Kansas; and Louisville and Maple Mount, Kentucky. One topic that has been raised by a number of members is the desire for “something new.” At their meeting in Santa Rosa, California, this past June, the Ursuline Society Leadership made the decision to initiate conversations with members regarding new ways to be daughters of Angela in the 21st century. Members who have the ability and desire to envision a new way of life will gather December 27-29, 2006, to begin the conversation to find “Angela Anew.” Ursuline Associates are invited to participate as well. The gathering will be held at the Sisters of Charity Spirituality Center in Cincinnati. The cost for the gathering will be approximately $100 per person. In order to have a common ground for conversations, each participant is asked to prepare by reading Angela Merici’s Journey of the Heart by Mary-Cabrini Durkin. The goal of the meeting is to begin to determine what part of the spirit and charism of Angela is most important for the 21st and 22nd centuries. For this to happen, full participation of everyone present is a must. If you are interested in being part of this gathering, please contact Sister Maureen Griner as soon as possible: Maureen Griner, OSU, 1695 Central Avenue, Memphis TN 38104, or mgriner@aol.com. n
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An Intentional Minute... We invite you to join together for an Intentional Minute of daily prayer for the needs of our world. This issue’s intention is:
NURTURING AND FREEING WOMEN AND CHILDREN NURTURING women and children who are neglected FREEING women and children who are held captive in abusive situations NURTURING women and children who are without basic necessities of life FREEING women who feel overwhelmed by their lives NURTURING children by becoming advocates and mentors FREEING women and children who are denied opportunities for education Join the Associate E-Mail Prayer Network! Call 270-229-2006 or send an e-mail to:
associates@maplemount.org. All we need is your e-mail address. If you don’t have e-mail, you can still send a prayer request for a friend or loved one. Please join us as we pray for one another!